. This is a simple message from grassroots Goans about the governance they need
. People are known for the company they keep; people look at political parties that way too
. Goa’s responsible institutions should guide their followers responsibly, for the sake of Goa, not based on old linkages
Continuing from where we left off yesterday, on the factors which will determine people’s choices in the next elections, Insight travelled to the interiors of Salcete and met locals who have lived, worked, created jobs and livelihoods and are passionate about Goa. And when you talk to people and they open up because of the decades of trust between people and our institution – Herald – the inner voices of people are heard. And these voices are not what you always see or hear on Facebook, YouTube and the WhatsApp universe.
Goans need trust
“We need to know we are in safe hands,” said a member of a family in coastal Salcete who have been ambassadors of Goan cuisine holding the flag of culinary excellence.
The most important feeling that every Goan has is the need to have trust and be trusted. Their trust has been broken on many counts, their mandate has been stolen by the very MLAs who fought on the ticket of the same party, which is claiming to take on the ruling party. Have they forgotten how their senior and junior MLAs went against people’s wishes and defected to the very party they voted against?
People would also like to know why the institutions that were, and still are, supporting the party of defectors, did not step in and condemn and send a strong message to these defectors.
They also need to trust and see if a party from the national capital coming to woo them for the second time after being totally rejected the first time, can at the very least protect their important faithful and cultural spaces. They need to trust and believe that such parties will not preside over their destruction and wash their hands off.
They need to also trust that their land will not be used to transport coal through villages and homes, threatening lives and quality of life.
They need to trust that their small businesses, shops and restaurants will be allowed to function without the burden of massive and unfair taxation.
They need to trust that when they go abroad to work to earn their living, their ancestral homes and land will not be grabbed by ruthless people who are either politicians or backed by politicians and their henchmen. They in turn charge people to protect their lands. Do the poor have any chance here? Simply not.
They need to trust that their farmland is protected, their farms cultivatable and not destroyed by construction debris. So they need a government by a party that will ensure this.
Most importantly they need to trust that their beautiful, green clean Goa with good value systems and eco-systems will be preserved. They need to trust that their unique culture will be preserved.
A good party feels good because of the people in them
The journey of a people’s party is like a movement. It’s a job is not only to win elections but be a people’s organisation that works towards serving the needs of the people. If a party only has hardcore power-hungry politicians who have made politics a business, the party will have only dealers and not leaders.
Politics was all about ideology. Now, for some people and parties, it’s all about money and power
Let the people decide if they want those who grab land, encourage illegal constructions which violate environmental laws, have a criminal background and make laws that lead to the absolute urbanisation of rural areas.
Let people also decide what will be their fate when their vote for candidates and politicians who are for sale.
There is still a place for good people. And an army of good people cannot be invaded by bad people
Would people want a party where members from civil society, professionals and those who have really contributed to society join a political movement? Any movement which has economists, writers, poets, language exponents, lawyers and doctors and sportsmen and women, agriculturists and human rights activists can never go wrong. With good sensible and sensitive people who are equally skilful in their chosen professions, a party cannot be wrong. And good people will never allow their party to be invaded by the wrong people.
Important institutions in Goan society also have to play responsible roles
The Goan society is close-knit and different institutions play an important role including shaping the way people choose their future through the ballot. Institutions such as these should not take hard stands based on their past affiliations or beliefs and see the ground realities in Goan society and politics before making up their mind on how-to guide.
These institutions should also step in when politicians who are their followers, sell their political interests to the highest bidder and claim that they have the support of these institutions. These institutions should not allow their name and respect to be misused by those doing dirty politics.
People’s real sentiments have been highlighted. They have said what kind of parties and governance they want. Do you agree?
Each one is free to make their political choices and back any party. But is there any doubt that the sentiments they have shared with Herald, is a true reflection, irrespective of one’s political affiliations? And shouldn’t and won’t people make their final choice based on which party believes in these sentiments the best?
It is simple. See the Goa you want and deserve. And see the political party and movement which is best suited to deliver it and has the best track record to fight and fight to win.
And make an informed choice.
